*OUTSIDE SETTING*
Shots are in a city-like setting, with parents walking away from the camera holding their kids hand.
VO: IT HAPPENS ALL TOO OFTEN. PARENTS OVERLY PROTECTING THEIR KIDS FROM EVERY STRANGER ON THE STREET. EVERY UNKNOWN GROWN-UP A POTENTIAL KILLER, OR PREDATOR.
*OUTSIDE SETTING* Cuts to the outside of a suburban home, during dusk. Slowly zoom towards a window with a light on.
VO: BUT WHAT HAPPENS WHEN THE STRANGERS ARE INSIDE YOUR HOME...
*INSIDE SETTING*
Fades from zoomed in window shot into what's inside, a kid on the computer, light coming from the monitor on the computer screen. Shots of the child typing.
VO:...THE FAMILY COMPUTER. PARENTS SUDDENLY BECOME EVEN MORE OVER-PROTECTIVE, AND ASSUME THEIR KIDS WILL DO ANYTHING THESE STRANGERS ASK.
*OUTSIDE SETTING*
The reporter is walking down suburban sidewalk towards camera. They wear a light windbreaker and black pants.
REPORTER: WE ALL KNOW THE DANGERS THAT POTENTIALLY AWAIT ONLINE, ESPECIALLY WHEN THE NEWS UNDERLINES CRIMES AGAINST CHILDREN THROUGH ONLINE MEDIA. BUT, ARE PARENTS BECOMING PARANOID WITH WHAT THE MEDIA FEEDS THEM?
*INSIDE SETTING*
Kids of varying ages between 8-14 sitting in a circle on the floor of what appears to be a classroom-like setting. The children raise their hands at varying times after a doctor asks them questions that we cannot hear.
VO: IN A CASE STUDY CONDUCTED BY CHRIS HANSEN OF NBC, A NUMBER OF CHILDREN ADMITTED THEY WERE CONTACTED BY STRANGERS. WHEN ASKED IF THEY THEN TOLD THEIR PARENTS, ALL WERE IN AGREEMENT- TELLING THEIR PARENTS WOULD RESULT IN THEIR INTERNET ACCESS BEING TAKEN AWAY- REGARDLESS IF THE CHILD ACTUALLY TALKED TO THE STRANGER OR NOT.
*OUTSIDE SETTING*
Overlaying scenes of parents walking with their kids through the city, suburb, parks.
VO: PARENTS ACROSS THE COUNTRY ARE STEPPING UP THEIR "PARENTAL POWERS" BY RESTRICTING OR SEVERELY LIMITING THEIR CHILDREN'S ONLINE BROWSING.
*FULL SCREEN VIDEO CLIP* This would be an animated graph showing the downturn of gaming memberships per month.
VO: INTERACTIVE GAMING SITES AIMED AT CHILDREN'S ENTERTIAINMENT SUCH AS CLUB PENGUIN, WEBKINS, AND NEOPETS HAVE SEEN A DROP IN NEW ACCOUNTS CREATED MONTHLY.
*INSIDE SETTING*
Studio setting where the reporter from before is now sitting in nice reporting-esque clothing, seated angled across from two other seats, occupied by HOWE and STRAUSS.
REPORTER:BUT WHAT ARE THE EXPERTS SAYING? We're here today with authors of Millennials Rising, Neil Howe and William Strauss. Gentleman, thank you for joining us today to talk about the issue of over-controlling parents. We know that with the Internet, there has been an increase in the concerns over privacy and what and who children are talking about and to whom. Lets begin about talking about some of the key terms you both have come up with in regards to overprotective parents. Can you tell us about the term "helicopter parents?"
Shots are cut between HOWE, STRAUSS, REPORTER, and audience.
HOWE:Thank you for having us here today. The term "helicopter parents" is a term, myself and William Strauss came up with to describe parents who can't let their child live their life freely without their supervision. "a parent who pays extremely close attention to his or her child's or children's experiences and problems, particularly at educational institutions." There's nothing wrong with a parent who takes interest in their child's academics, but at a certain point you have to let your child learn on their own. Helicopter parents are quick to swoop down and bail out their children, preventing the kids themselves from solving life's problems.
REPORTER: What type of problems can develop from parents who can't let their children work themselves out of trouble?
STRAUSS: A lot of serious developmental problems can occur. While it's nice to have a parent there for you if you get into trouble, what does young Billy do when Mom or Dad isn't there? There's a certain point in a child's life where they need to solve issues on their own and learn from the mistakes they make. Think back to when we were growing up, did we even want our parents hovering over us on every decision we make? I cannot imagine how brutal it has become now with the Internet and with parents who feel the need to monitor their children 24/7.
REPORTER: I'm glad you brought up the issue of Internet and over-protection. We've all heard stories about cyber bullying, sexual predators, and children who give out private information like home address, telephone numbers, etc. Don't then parents have a right to make sure young children, and even older ones don't release this sort of information? Children may be caught up in the cyber world and not even know they're giving out private info. Surely parents have some responsibility.
HOWE: Yes, you're right, parents should take an active role in making sure their children don't give out private info., but that's it. We both, Neil and I, believe that parents are going too far. Monitoring their children's website history, who they Instant Message with, and something not even letting their children use the Internet because of the stories they hear about sexual predators. Instead of being hawks, I would recommend proper steps that parents can take to ensure safe Internet use by their children, while not taking away a child's right to learn on their own and establish an identity that's free from their parents. 1. Set up rules about what info. They can release no addresses, no phone numbers, nothing you wouldn't tell a stranger you met on the street. 2. Warn them about anything they say or do on the Internet can be seen by many others. and 3rd. The use of the Internet is a privilege and not a right, if your child gets into trouble, then take the Internet away from them. 4. be aware of any suspicious behaviors or patters that may occur with your children, don't nag, but if you see something abnormal ask your child and then take it from there. In fact, one of our colleagues, Howard Rheingold says: "...instead of looking at the Internet as a crazy, chaotic demon, parents should try a new tactic that involves giving some responsibilities to their children. Let your child teach you, the parent, about the Internet and technology. It will show them their voice matters and they will appreciate YOU coming to THEM and asking for help, it's a sign that they are mature and responsible. It gives them a feeling of power and control, plus it shows you really listen to them."
REPORTER: Wow, powerful stuff. Well, we here at KYM Studios would like to thank you both for your time and hope that parents out their listening will take into consideration what you have said today about over controlling parents.
Reporting from in studio I'm [Insert catchy reporter sounding name here] for KYM News.
Paranoid Parents
Produced By: Tori Greco and Austin Monheit
Shots are in a city-like setting, with parents walking away from the camera holding their kids hand.
Fades from zoomed in window shot into what's inside, a kid on the computer, light coming from the monitor on the computer screen. Shots of the child typing.
The reporter is walking down suburban sidewalk towards camera. They wear a light windbreaker and black pants.
Kids of varying ages between 8-14 sitting in a circle on the floor of what appears to be a classroom-like setting. The children raise their hands at varying times after a doctor asks them questions that we cannot hear.
Overlaying scenes of parents walking with their kids through the city, suburb, parks.
Studio setting where the reporter from before is now sitting in nice reporting-esque clothing, seated angled across from two other seats, occupied by HOWE and STRAUSS.
Reporting from in studio I'm [Insert catchy reporter sounding name here] for KYM News.
References
Aspen Education Group. (2009). A Generation Tethered to their Helicopter Parents: Over-Protective Child-Rearing Ruining Kids' Lives. In Parenting Resources. Retrieved April 21, 2010, from http://www.aspeneducation.com/ Article-helicopter-parents. html
Flanagan, C. (2007, July/August). Babes in the Woods. In The Atlantic Magazine. Retrieved April 21, 2010, from https://blackboard.temple.edu/ webapps/portal/frameset.jsp? tab_id=_2_1&url=%2fwebapps% 2fblackboard%2fexecute% 2flauncher%3ftype%3dCourse% 26id%3d_49922_1%26url%3d
Kornblum, J. (2006, March 9). Parents worry about the perils of social networking sites. USA Today. Retrieved from http://libproxy.temple.edu/ login?url=http://search. ebscohost.com/login.aspx? direct=true&db=aph&AN= J0E051429519206&site=ehost- live&scope=site